Newbie here!

KentT · Dec 17, 2006

MossRoad was replying as I was typing my long-winded response. Sorry for any redundancy or repetition...

One other addition -- I don't think you need a 1430 for the tasks you listed, only a 425, so I'd take the difference in price and spend it on PT attachments instead....

KentT · Dec 17, 2006

Carl,

You prompted me to go to eBay to check it out. There's that 425 package you saw with LM bucket, forks, tiller and rake for an opening bid of $11,000

There's also a 2445 package with trailer for opening bid of $20,000

BobRip · Dec 17, 2006

ddonnell said:
Farmall 140
One last question. BobRip, in your reply you addressed my question about the loader lift capacity at its full 800# rating. I appreciate that the PT could get a little light in the rear end with that much weight, but with the appropriate counter weight on the back, do you think that the loader will actually lift the 800# more than a few inches? And without any rear weight, could I expect any problems lifting a full 4-in-1 bucket of, let's say, sand or gravel throughout the entire lift range? I do have to add crushed stone in the kennel area from time to time as well as move dirt for landscaping etc.. I am also a little fuzzy about this loading the 4-in-1 bucket backwards or forwards. Would you elaborate on this a little for me?

Thanks to all for the information. Keep it coming.

I am sure it will lift the 800 pounds more than a few inches. But it is not just a matter of light in the rear end, its a matter of the rear end completely leaving the ground (what we call the PT pucker). For 800 pounds you need about 250 or more pounds on the back. With the 4 in 1 fully loaded about 120 pounds is enough. Now mine is an old 422 (2000) and the configuration has changed and the motor has been moved to the very back, so these weights might have changed. By the way the PT will lift more weight when straight than when turning since the moment arm wieght of the machine is shorter. So you pick up something and then make a turn and tail comes up.

For 8 acres and what you plan to do I think the 425 is more than adequate. The 1430 is more expensive, and so are all of the attachments. I think I would more than double my investment with it.

ddonnell · Dec 17, 2006

KentT,
I tried to reply but it didn't go through I guess. As for my quandry I realize that I would probably sacrifice some in the mower department from the Simplicity but the PT's other assets may very well outweigh this. Believe me when I say that it takes more than a pretty face to get me thinking about switching from my Legacy setup, but the PT has me at least hooked. Question is will I be reeled in.

One question. Would it be possible to weld some steel to close the rear discharge of the PT 60" finish mower and cut a side discharge port, much like the Simplicity deck? Seems like this might solve some of the windrowing and clipping-around-the-wheel issues I've read about, but perhaps that's a no-go with the way the blades are configured etc.. Also, couldn't you put a rear-mounted or towed roller behind the PT for striping effect? Would that somehow interfere with reverse travel?

kmaz · Dec 17, 2006

ddonnel, welcome aboard, Im brand new to the PT... recieved my 425 last week after pouring through every single archived message. Im sure someone else could post a direct link to a particular thread where a gentleman did just that... he replaced the rear wheels with a single roller. I believe he posted pics. I think it was the same guy who mounted pt's backhoe up to the quick hitch on a 425. I think his name was Ed. Ill try to find it and post to bring it to the top.

Kris

ddonnell · Dec 17, 2006

I did find a roller setup from Skag that they mount to the rear of their ZTR for striping. It's spring loaded for more down pressure (presumably for longer lasting stripes) but can flip up and be pinned for transport. It's called the Tiger striper(www.scag.com/tigerstriper.html). Something like that looks like it would work although I'm sure many of the guys in this forum could make one for a lot less than they probably charge. Some might call me **** about the striping thing but I do like the look. Too many years on a golf course I guess.

kmaz · Dec 17, 2006

ddonnell, look at the post for "eds pictures" its right under this post . I brought it to the top. Page 2 ...theres a roller on the mower.

Kris

MossRoad · Dec 17, 2006

KentT said:
MossRoad was replying as I was typing my long-winded response. Sorry for any redundancy or repetition...

One other addition -- I don't think you need a 1430 for the tasks you listed, only a 425, so I'd take the difference in price and spend it on PT attachments instead....

I was hoping you'd chime in here.

I love my PT. And I love my old Simplicity. The PT is just so much faster at everything that I am willing to give up some points on the quality of the cut VS the Simplicity. If I had to choose between one or the other, the PT would win hands down. But my Simplicity is small. The one we are comparing to today sounds like quite the nice setup, except for those rear mounted implements, of course!

BobRip · Dec 17, 2006

KentT said:
MossRoad was replying as I was typing my long-winded response. Sorry for any redundancy or repetition...

One other addition -- I don't think you need a 1430 for the tasks you listed, only a 425, so I'd take the difference in price and spend it on PT attachments instead....

One of the advantages of the PT 425 is you can afford to buy attachments for it. If I had the 1430, I doubt if I could justify many of the attachments that I have purchased. This in turn gives me capabilites that my neighbors only dream of.

ddonnell · Dec 17, 2006

Kris,
Thanks for the link to Ed's pictures. The roller looks and sounds like it works well. I am way out of his league welding-wise though. I'd love to see some pictures of his vacuum system/hopper he was working on. If you know of a thread that shows that please bring it up too.

Dave